A GREAT Week

This week has been a great week! Not only did the Ute's win their game, but Lance (my nephew) got baptized, and my sweetheart still thinks I'm the best. What more could I ask for? LOL No really this has been a great week! I learned a few new recipes that I am loving, went to Roberts and made some new crafts, and spent a lot of time with Dave's family which is always great! I have so much fun with Dave's family!

Bric (my brother-in-law) and Dave went to the BYU game on Saturday and they had a blast. Bric made sure that Dave had a BYU shirt to wear, so he didn't stick out too bad with those BYU fans. ;) They crack me up. They are such good friends, yet Bric is a die hard BYU fan and Dave is a true Utah fan. They loved the game and especially loved the guy sitting next to them that kept yelling at Bric to move. (You gotta love those cougar fans!)

On Saturday Lance, got baptized. He was so excited and he did great! He had the missionary discussions for the last month and he made the decision to become a member of the church. When I was with him today I asked him how it felt to be Mormon (just joking with him) and he said, so enthusiastically, "It feels awesome!" He is such a great kid and I just love him so much. He has so much love in his heart that it amazes me. I have never met a better big brother then Lance. He's so kind and sweet and also a great football player! Sunday was his confirmation and then we headed to Lou and Paula's for dinner. All of Dave's family was there which so fun!

My nephew Skyler (Melissa's son) is such an amazing kid! He makes me smile from ear to ear every time I see him. Today he really put a smile on my face. Dave and I were sitting upstairs and something about Germany was brought up. He looked at me and said, "That's where I want to serve my mission." It was so cute. He's 14. He told me all about how he is going to take German in school, so the church will send him there when he goes. I told him that if he went on a mission that Dave and I will come pick him up where ever he goes. He smiled. You have to understand what a stud this kid is. Last night he was standing on the corner with all of his friends at about 10pm. I drove by rolled down my window and yelled at him to embarrass him. It didn't work. As I waved at him and yelled, "Skyler! Skyler! Hi! I love you!!" He just waved back and yelled, "I love you too!" I seriously love that kid. I can't describe what an amazing spirit he has. I loved that boy the moment I met him and he will always hold a very special place in my heart. He brings so much happiness to Dave and I, and he will never understand that. When I met him, it was like we had always known each other. I think after the 2nd time I met him he was telling me that he would love it if I was his aunt. He's just my bud and I'm so glad he's my nephew!

Sorry about all my random thoughts tonight, I just am writing about all I think about :) The picture of Dave and I was taken this summer by my amazing sister Jamie! She had a fun little photo shoot with the 2 of us and took some great pictures! When I get more I'll post them!

I hope you all have a great week and get ready for not only fall, but winter. Wednesday it's supposed to snow and the high is only 36 degrees. Oh I'm not ready to drive in the winter this soon!! I'll talk to you all later!

Random Freezing Post

So I am sitting in my house right now my thermostat says 61 so I broke down, turned on the fire and pulled out the space heater. I'M FREEZING!! It is definitely the first day of fall! Dave said it is cold up on campus too. It kinda makes me sad. My other random post this week is something I am extremely excited about!! I have found the cure for cold sores and it is not a prescription. For the last 4 months I have had cold sores every week. It had been horrible. They have covered my lips, given me swollen glans, made my head hurt, and last night I was in tears because I was in so much pain.

I was reading online and discovered Lysine. It's a protein that our bodies can't create, so we have to take it. So last night I went to the store and bought a bottle of 1000mg caplets. I came home and took 4. This morning and I woke up and granted they are not gone, but they are drying out! I am taking it along with vitamin C and Valtrex. Even my valtrex doesn't work this well though. I am so excited!! I feel so great! My head isn't hurting as bad and neither is my mouth. Tylenol is also helping. But for those of your who suffer from cold sores I would highly recommend Lysine. It's cheap and it works. Take 1 1000mg capsule daily and when you get that feeling that you are going to get a cold sore triple up and take 4000mg. Continue to take 4000mg daily until it goes away. I promise it helps! If you can get valtrex I would take that too!

So why I patiently wait for Dave's student loans to come in my hair is suffering. I want to dye blond and brown in it for fall and want to go to jagged edge salon. I have to wait for a Monday though because they do coupons on Monday and they are very expensive but they are the best I have found next to Shep in Provo.

I have also become crafty. So coming up I have my mothers Birthday, Paula's Birthday, Micaela's Birthday, Rachel's Birthday, Skyler's Birthday, and then I have Jamie and Lilly and Bonnie for Christmas to plan for. I have my mom, Paula, Micaela, Rachel, Jamie, and Bonnie done!! I am so on top of things. I just have Sky and Lilly. This should be pretty simple.

OK there's this weeks update. I think I am going to break down and go turn on my heater. I am freezing!!!!

Crock Pot Adventures Up-Date

So last week was my crock pot week and I must say it was a success!! Our favorite was the Rosemary Chicken with white beans, served over brown rice. If you want the recipe let me know. It's also very healthy. The Swiss Chicken was really rich and creamy. The Clam Chowder was fattening and delicious. The meat loaf had the most amazing flavor ever, but it wouldn't get hard and stay together, so I ended up putting in a loaf pan in the oven which defeated the purpose. I wouldn't make that one again in the crock pot, although I will make it in the oven because the flavor was amazing. The swiss chicken is a savory dish and rich like I said, and I'm not quite sure if I will make it again. Clam Chowder I will definitely make this winter. I didn't end up making the mac and cheese, so I can't say how it turned out. All together this was a very good week and Dave ate pretty dang good if I do say so myself.

The best things I made this week in my opinion were my chocolate covered peanut butter balls and my boston cream pie. (You know where my heart is. Remember, I use to be a 302lb girl at one time!)

Anyway that ends this week. Next week is just random recipes, but if I like any of the them I will let you know!

Sunday Morning Breakfast

So this Sunday I have been looking forward to all week. I had this special breakfast planned for Dave. Every day of the week I make him dinner, except on Sunday. Sunday is our breakfast day! (ok I'll be honest I make breakfast for him every day but it's never anything special, just eggs or cereal or blah blah blah.) So today I found this recipe called "A German Farmer's Breakfast" I loved it immediately because Dave is German (and he'll tell you that the instant he meets you lol. He's very proud of it.)

The breakfast turned out delicious, and a lot more than I thought it would!! Here is the recipe if any of you would like to try it.

German Farmer's Breakfast

(Makes about 6 servings)

3 Medium Potatoes

1/2-1 onion (depending on how much you like onions.) Chopped

1 Bell Pepper Chopped

1 C Ham Cubed Cooked

1/2 C Bacon Chopped Cooked

a handful of fresh parsley chopped (add as much for desired taste)

1/2 C Sliced Mushrooms

4 T Olive Oil

5 Whisked Eggs

Salt and Pepper to Taste

First bring a pot with water (enough to cover potatoes to a boil). Boil Potatoes for 12 min. Drain and let cool.

Combine chopped onion, green pepper, mushrooms, 3 T olive oil, and parsley to a large skillet. Cook until browned.

Cut potatoes into squares and add to vegatable mixture along with 1 T olive oil. Cook until brown.

Add Bacon and Ham until they are heated.

Pour eggs over the whole thing and stir until eggs are firm. Once eggs are firm remove from heat. Serve with fresh grated cheese on top.

Toasted Almond Boston Cream Pie

I just made this cake, but I haven't tasted it yet. I am waiting for Dave to come home. It looks delicious though so here is the recipe...

Boston Cream Pie
Cake
1/2 cup butter (that’s 1 stick), softened on the counter for 20 minutes or so
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk
2 cups cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt


Cream Filling
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
6 Tbls. flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 Tbls. butter

Toasted Almonds
1 1/2 cups almonds, sliced
1 Tbls. butter
pinch of salt

Boston Cream Pie: Make the cake
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spray 2 8-inch round cake pans with oil, then line with circles of parchment paper. Set them aside.

Cake
Mix butter and sugar, add egg yolks, mix again. Add vanilla and milk and mix. Then add your sifted dry ingredients.

Cream Filling
OK I'll be honest I had to add a hell of a lot more sugar to get it to be thick like pudding/custard, but it does work.
MIX IN A HEAT PROOF BOWL. First mix your egg yolks and sugar until blended. Add milk, mix again, and then add vanilla and dry ingredients.
Put about 3 inches of water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Put your heat proof bowl with custard mix over the top of pot. Whisk constantly until thick.
(I think I added about 12 Tbsp of flour, not the 6 the recipe called for)
When it's thick let cool on your countertop and when room temp. put in fridge and cool completely.

Mix the chocolate topping the same way that you mixed the custard. In a heatproof bowl over a pot of boiling water. When it is melted, let it sit on countertop and thicken a bit.

Assembling the Cake
Put your first cake bottom side up on your serving dish. Pour custard over the top on the flat cake. Put next cake bottom side down on top of that. Spread chocolate frosting over top of the cake. Use the left over custard to spread along the sides of the cake and hurry and stick your almonds to it. :)

If you have any questions let me know. It takes a little while to make the whole thing, but the recipe is semi easy and I'll let you know how it tastes.

Fabulous French Toast

4 Eggs
2/3 C Milk
2 tsp Cinnamon
3 tsp Powder Sugar
8 Slices 2-day old bread or thick sliced bread

Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, and sugar together. Dip bread on both sides in the mixture letting it soak well.

Grill on 400 degree griddle until slightly crisp and brown on each side.

Serve with fresh berries and buttermilk maple syrup. Yummy!!

My Crock-Pot Cooking Week

So this week I have decided that I am going to learn how to use a crock pot to cook something other than a roast. I searched the internet and cook books and blogs last night and found my weeks worth of recipes. This morning I headed to Smith's and got everything I needed. I am trying this healthy living lifestyle because I love Dave so much, and I bought everything from the whole, natural, and organic, section of the store. Tonight's creation is called "The All-American Meatloaf". It sounds really good and since I love meatloaf I am really excited! Here are this week's cooking line-up:

Monday

Garlic Chicken, Greek Rice, and Roasted Asparagus

Tuesday

All-American Meatloaf

Wednesday

Rosemary Chicken with white beans

Thursday

Swiss Mushroom Chicken

Friday

Macaroni and Cheese

Saturday (My favorite)

Clam Chowder

Sunday

Horseradish Roast

I'll let you all know how my creations turn out and which ones I liked the best. If you want any recipes let me know!!